Schwarzenegger Proclaimed April 23-29 Armenian Genocide Commemoration Week

PanARMENIAN.Net - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared April 23-29 the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Week. "April 24, 1915 is the day of the Armenian Genocide, the crime against humanity which resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians. 500 thousand of Armenians who survived the massacres settled in other states. Being deprived of their property they took with them the love for killed relatives, hope and belief in the start of a new life," the statement signed by Governor Schwarzenegger says.



"These people found shelter in new homeland and in California, which is the largest outside Armenia state with flourishing Armenian population, as well. Today the descendants off those who survived the Genocide make a considerable contribution to the development of business, art and education in California. Marking the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide we should derive the lessons of the past to combat any demonstration of hatred. Silence can only perpetuate the attempts to deny the past. I side with the Armenian community and call freedom-loving Americans and other nations to recognize the Genocide. Now, therefore, I, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim April 23-29 the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Week," the statement says, reported RFE/RL